Tuesday, October 7, 2008

This week in geography, Katie is studying about Greece. And Sunday we went to the Greek festival. Where we mostly ate amazing Greek food. (Click here to see what Katie has to say about it) And it got me thinking about a Greek dish I have been making for a while.

Speaking of a Greek dish - have I ever told you about Jimmy the Greek? Sigh. A story of unrequited love. I went to high school with him. And he was in my Russian class. We constantly flirted in class. I am amazed that we learned anything since we only paid attention to each other. I was so enamored. I am sure he was simply amused. The next year I continued with the language and he went off to college. And I somehow got the gumption to invite him to my high school prom. And he graciously agreed to go to.Aren’t we cute? I hope my 80’s hair does not make you lose your appetite.

I wish I could say that I got this recipe from his mother. But I am sure that she would not have shared with me. As I was not a nice Greek girl. And I am sure that she was confused by me. And my lust for her son. And his friendship with me.

My how I digress. Mention Greeks and I get all discombobulated.

Where were we? Oh, yes. I am going to show you how to make Pastitsio.

Here is our cast of characters.I think that’s all of them anyway. Some might still be shy. And hiding in the fridge. Which is where I like to hide when I am being shy. Of course the fridge is always a good place to go. No matter what.

I got the noodles going. And then browned the meat and garlic. I don’t like onions – so I just add a little flavor of them with some of the minced dehydrated variety. Sacrelidge I am sure. But I really don’t like onions.After the meat is browned, drain it. And then add the tomato sauce and spices.Okay. Let’s take a small side trip. I know we took one at the beginning. Sigh. Jimmy the Greek. But…let’s talk about prep work. One of my favorite kitchen tools are these little prep bowls. I find that if I have everything pre-measured before I start cooking, I have less problems.But then when I have to stop and photograph things. Well, that can lead to a whole new set of problems. Notice that there is no camera in the ingredients. That is a good thing.

Where were we? Oh, yes. We've browned the meat. Added tomato sauce and spices. Discussed Jimmy. Are your noodles done yet? Drain them and put them in a big bowl.Notice those ever so helpful prep bowls? Just add the egg and cheese to your noodles.And mix. Looks yummy, yes?Set this aside, and let's make our sauce. First melt that butter. And then add flour and cinnamon. Stir until smooth. Stopping to take a picture is not a good idea.Then you gradually add in the milk. It kinda looks lumpy at this point,but just keep stirring. Okay...who else can now hear Dory saying "just keep swimming, just keep swimming?" E-Scap-AY.

There are many digressions when we cook. I think it's a rule. Or something.

After all the milk is blended and it's thickened, you add a little of the sauce to your eggs. And then add the eggs into the sauce. I have no idea why you do this. Maybe someone who is a real cook will enlighten me. And us. Anyone? Hello? Did I lose you all with my 80's hair?

After you add in the eggs, remove the sauce from the heat and add the rest of the cheese.Next you are going to layer your ingredients in a baking dish. First add half the macaroni.Then all of the meat sauce.And finally the rest of the macaroni.You top off the whole thing with your white sauce.When I first cooked this, I thought the white sauce would "filter" down to the other layers. But it does not. The pasta stays in four distinct layers. Opa!

Cook the beef, onion, and garlic. Drain.Stir in tomato sauce, water, and seasoningsCover and simmer for about 10 minutes. Stirring occasionally.In a bowl, combine macaroni, egg, and parmesan cheese. Set aside.

In a large saucepan, melt butter.Then stir in flour and cinnamon until smooth.Gradually add milk.Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes.Remove from the heat.

Stir a small amount of the above into the two beaten eggs. And then add the eggs to the saucepan.Cook and stir for 2 minutes.

Remove from the heat.Stir in the cheese.

In a greased 3 qt. dish, spread half of the macaroni mixture.Top with beef. And then add the remaining macaroni.Pour sauce over the top.

Bake at 350º for 45-50 minutes. Let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

So…what about you? What is your favorite “ethnic” dish to make? To eat? Did you go to your prom?

Theme song: The Bee Gees - Grease. Cause Greece is the word. What do you mean it's not the same word?! And it reminds me of high school...

I probably like making Indian food best - a dahl is good.I like eating Thai.

We didn't have 'proms' when I left high school. We all went out for dinner at a restaurant. People didn't really take partners (unless they had been together already for a while.)These days, there are 'formals' at the end of high school. I guess they would be like a prom.

PS: It took me a while to work out what Gina's pic was (sorry Gina). I had to enlarge it and study it for a moment. OF COURSE it is a baby's foot!!

See, I love the 80s hair. I had the 90s hair in my day, and I still love the way it looked. It'll come back eventually, and I'll be totally curling my bangs!

Yummy dish! I like enchiladas and anything Italian.

Went to 3 proms--2 with the same boy in my junior year (he was a senior) and went to my senior prom with a boy I was friends with and really really wanted to be more than friends with. Alas, no luck. But we did drink a lot of beer that night.

Hey look at that you posted a recipe on Try It Tuesday. And your recipe even has "tit" inside it. :) I think this looks VERY tasty. I'm trying it for sure. And I think the reason for adding some eggs then sauce is to bring everything to the same temp so that your eggs don't scramble. Not positive though. LOVED your 80's prom hair, you looked very lovely.

That looks so yummy! My mom makes that too! Okay, I love all food and would happily make pretty much everything I like to eat. Unfortunately I have a husband who doesn't like spices, or even salt in any of his food so I only get to make boring food to eat at home. It makes me really excited to go to my parents because it means I get to eat something extra yummy. :) As for prom... You look amazing in your prom picture! I love it! I did go to my jr.prom with a group of friends and my nephiew (catherine's oldest) was the crown bearer (sp?). I was actually on the prom court as a sr and forced to go. Fortunately my best friend was a guy and he told me under no uncertain terms that I was going and that he was taking me. He felt so bad about that! It wasn't the worst thing, and since I went with my best friend (who was a cute guy) it made all the girls in my class wonder who the heck he was. Small catholic schools are entertaining like that.

Oh so yummy!!! Can I just come over the next time you make it? Hmmm..favorite ethnic dish...maybe Rigatoni?? Super simple....maybe that will be a new post!! Hey Thanks! I love anything Italian. Yes...I went to the prom...THREE times...My boyfriend was a Sr. so I got to go when I was a Sophomore. Wasn't I somethin'?! I went with him every year....ahhh! Now I've rambled so much...I don't remember THE ONE thing that was important I had to say...Oh yes, it was about the eggs. I think it is so they don't get scrambled??? But not sure. I also think there is a name for that particular thing, like tempered or something...but again, dunno? That's all I got!

that looks really good. I am so going to make that. In case some didn't answer your question, I will. I don't think that I saw anyone sorry if you were told twice. You are tempuring the eggs. If you add hot liquid to eggs they will scramble and that is not good. So you add a little hot to the cold and get the temp more even so that the mixture will be even temp. Now you know.I love the prom picture. Great.

Is it strange for me to be crying about a recipe post? I just remember my mom and I making this for "international food day" in 4th grade---and it makes me miss her :( . It looks soooo yummy though---and i know it tastes it too (that bechamel sauce---yum-o!)

Went to Jr. and Sr. proms. Both with the same guy that I began dating my junior year. We dated for 8 years (2 high school, 4 college and 2 more)before I finally realized he wasn't right for me and broke it off. Prom was alright. We left both years to attend house parties at friends homes. Our proms were huge events though. We had 800+ in our graduating class so there were many post-prom parties to attend.

I *love* Greek food! We have some friends who we go to eat Greek with. Every time a new Greek place opens, we're there. And the wife went to culinary school and does a HUGE Greek spread every year for Easter. It's yummy...

See? My brain was so on the food that I forgot to comment on the prom picture. It's not the hair that caught my attention (though I *did* have that same style at one point!) No, the thing that got me was the dress. The oh-so-80's prom dress. My prom dress (that I never got to wear to prom - long story) was that EXACT color blue, but strapless and sheathed in large, white lace. I looked like a hideous cake topper, but at the time I thought it was beautiful!

If I was a good cook, I'd cook many great ethnic foods. I make a decent chicken fried rice, I'd love to learn to make sushi...*drool*. The only authentic Mexican food I make is posole, but it's an acquired taste & my Michael doesn't enjoy it, so I don't make it often. I should've been born Asian instead of Hispanic.

Okay, I don't cook much .. but I read this entire post because you crack me up. And you know you rock when you can make recipes interesting to me ;o)

I totally love your 80's hair and that dress is rocking .. love the electric blue! I was homeschooled, so no prom. I got asked to three or four throughout highschool, but turned them all down. The boys were all cute, but I freaked at the thought of dress/hair/makeup/shoes/dancing/ .. my friends totally thought I was a freak :o)

Went to like 5 proms total...I like to date older guys. And guys from different schools. Plus, since I was super outgoing, I was easy to take. Not easy like "baw chika baw waw"... easy like" we won't lack conversation and the girl can dance."

Mmm, that looks yummy! My fave ethnic dish to cook & eat would be my cheesy chicken enchiladas. Great, now I'm hungry again. I went to both my Jr & Sr proms. Jr was great, Sr, not so much. Long story there!

Disney loving mom who found the best job in the whole world - helping other people to take trips to the happiest place on earth. All while being a mom and teaching classes to homeschoolers. Living a fabulous life!